Method and means of packaging sliced loaves



y 1941- G. c. PAPENDICK 2,247,401

METHOD AND MEANS OF PACKAGING SLICED LOAVES Filed April 24, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOE 6 05 v C Papend/bv. j M r97 7'0 ENE Y I y 1941- G. c. PAPENDICK 2.247.401

METHOD AND MEANS OF PACKAGING SLICED LOAVES Filed April 24, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VE/V 702 605/4/6 Papmd/a.

BY C

,4 TTOE/VE w July 1, 1941. ac. PAPENDICK METHOD AND MEANS OF PACKAGING SLICED LOAVES Filed April 24, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 1941- G. c. PAPENDICK 2 ,401

METHOD AND MEANS OF PACKAGING SLICED LOAVES Filed April 24, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 7 I/v VEN 719E 'usvav C Fk rend/Zk.

V TTO/E/VE) Patented July 1, 1941 METHOD as mass ormouse-ma sucan Loaves Gustav c. Papendlck, University City, 1410.; enubeth Papendick, executrlx of Gustav 0. Paper:-

dick, deceased,

assignor to Papendlck, Inc., St.

Missouri Louis, Mo., a corporation of Application April 24, 1939, No. 269,809 7 Claims. (Cl. 93-2) This invention has to do with certain new and useful methods of handling and packaging sliced bread loaves, and is related to the subjects-matter of my co-pending patent applications, Serial Nos. 242,430, 242,431, 242,432, 242,433, and 242,434, all filed November 25, 1938.

I have also discovered that it is commercially desirable to recombine or assemble individually wrapped loaf fractions for further wrapping in a composite or multiple package. 7 Such a multiple packaged fractionated loaf will remain fresh for a longer period of time, inasmuch as the housewife may open the outer wrap and remove a single separately wrapped fraction, leaving the remainder of the loaf in substantially doublewrapped approximately or substantially airtight condition until the first fraction has been completely consumed. I

In addition, I have also discovered that such a multiple wrapped fractioned package effectively solves the rather difficult and annoying problem encountered in merchandising composite packaged loaves, that is to say, loaves in which the fractions are of different kinds of bread, such as whole wheat, raisin and white bread. Experience has demonstrated that the small family appreciates having a variety of different types of bread in the same package. Unfortunately, however, there is a tendency on the part of certain kinds of bread to absorb the flavor of other types of bread. -White bread, for instance, when packaged compositely with whole wheat bread, will absorb a considerable amount of the whole wheat flavor and acquire a slightly modified taste, which, though not greatly objectionable, is nevertheless unsatisfactory to the more or less discriminating and particular housewife. By separately wrapping the individual fractions, such absorption by the one of the flavor of another is obviated when such separated or individual fractions are assembled as a composite loaf in an outer wrapper.

It is evident, however, that since the price of bread is relatively low and the margin of profit small, composite and multiple wrapped sliced bread packaging must be accomplished at relatively high speed and low expense-and without appreciably affecting the total cost of production or manufacture.

My invention hence has for its primary objects the provision of unique means and methods for preparing and handling multiple and composite wrapped sliced bread packages eillciently, economically. and conveniently, which do not add materially to the cost of production of the bread arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (4 sheets)- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view, partly broken away, illustrating an unique machine arrangement for practicing preferred method of bread-handling and packaging-of my invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the bread-handling and packaging machine arrangement of Figure l;

Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are schematic views of unique machine arrangements for practicing modified methods of bread-handling and packaging of my invention;

Figures 8 and 9 are plan and side elevational views, respectively, of an additional unique machine arrangement for practicing a further modifled method of bread handling and packaging of my invention;

Figure 10 is a plan view of still another unique machine arrangement for practicing particularly a modified method of composite loaf handling and packaging of my invention; and

Figures 11 and 12 are fragmentary views of the method of practicing machine arrangement of Figure 10.

Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to the drawings, A designates a bread loaf slicing and fractionating machine which includes a loaf conveyer I, a slicing mechanism 2,

"anda fractionating transfer conveyer 3, all pref erably constructed in accordance with the disclosures of my said previously filed co-pending patent applications.

At the discharge end of the transfer conveyer 3,

is a so-called dead plate 4 bridging the gap between the transfer conveyer 3- and a longitudinally disposed rearwardly extending intake conveyer 5 of a substantially conventional first wrapping machine B having a discharge conveyer 6 1 disposed in spaced relation, and extending forwardly over the intake conveyer 5 and transfer from side to side in maintained parallelism for alternately guiding the forwardly traveling wrapped bread loaf fractions first to one side and then to the other side of a discharging dead plate l0.

Operatively disposed forwardly of the deadplate It), is an intake-conveyer ll of a second wrapping machine D constructed and adapted for wrapping a package having a length equal to the combined length of two loaffractions, the machine D having, in turn, a discharge conveyer l2 extending longitudinally rearwardly over, and in spaced relation from, the switching mechanism C and provided at its rear or discharge end with a flat receiving shell or platform l3, upon which the successive multiple wrapped packages may accumulate for suitable removal and shipment, all as best seen in Figures 1 and 2.

In use and practice, the unwrapped and unsliced full length bread loaves L are suitably disposed upon the feedconveyer l of the slicing machine A and progressed through the slicing mechanism 2 to the fractionating transfer conveyer 3, which operates to first divide the successive sliced loaves into, in the present instance, two equal fractions 1 and to then deliver such fractions in a consecutive series across the dead plate 4 to the intake conveyer 5 of the wrapping machine B.

In the machine B, the individual fractions 1 are wrapped and delivered by the discharge conveyer 6 to the switching mechanism C, which latter operates and functions to re-align every successive two loaf fractions into end to end or axial pair-relation.

The so re-aligned pairs of loaf fractions 1 are successively delivered across the dead plate ill to the intake conveyer ii of the second wrapping machine D, by which the each successively delivered loaf-fraction pair is wrapped as a unit in a double-section multiple wrapped package and the packages P delivered, in turn, by the conveyer i2 upon the platform or plate i3 for removal.

With reference now to the method of practicing arrangement of Figures 3 and 4, A is a slicing machine having a feed conveyer M, slicing mechanism 55, and a fractionating transfer con.- veyer i6, all preferably constructed in accordance with the disclosures of my said previously filed co-pending patent applications. Operativel'y disposed at the rear or discharge end of the transfer conveyer i6, is the laterally presented intake conveyer ll of a first or so-called primary wrapping machine B, which, at its forward or discharge end, is provided with a discharge conveyer i8 longitudinally extending forwardly over and in upwardly spaced relation from the slicing machine A, as shown.

Operatively mounted in the plane, and at the forward or discharge end, of the conveyer i8, is a switching mechanism C, a dead plate l9, and an intake conveyer 20 of a second or so-called secondary wrapping machine D, all operatively associated in a manner fully and particularly described in a co-pending application of Walter A. Thum for patent for Article handling machinery, Serial No. 257,836, filed February 23, 1939.

The initially unsliced loaves L, on being passed through the slicing means l5, are each divided into, in the present instance, two fractions 1, l, which are shifted axially away from each other and disposed into consecutive alignment by the fractionating transfer conveyer l6 and consecutively dischargcd into the pockets of the conveyer I! for delivery into the primary wrapping machine B, by which each of said fractions is individually or separately wrapped. The so wrapped fractions 1, l, are then conveyed in consecutive order by the discharge conveyer l8 to the switching mechanism C, by which each successive two fractions are shifted again into axial alignment or normal loaf-forming relationship and in such realigned relation conveyed by the intake conveyer 20 into the second wrapping machine D, by which each succeeding pair of separately wrapped fractions is wrapped in an outer wrap in the formation substantially of a double wrapped fractionally divided full loaf, and

the packages P, delivered, in turn, by the conveyer l2 upon the platform or plate l3 for removal.

Again, with reference now to Figures 5 and 6. A is a slicing machine having a feed conveyer 2 I, slicing means 22, and a fractionating transfer conveyer 23. The whole or unsliced loavesL, on being fed through the slicing means 22, are each subdivided into a pair of fractions 3, f, and delivered upon the conveyer 23 and by which some of such fractions, as the fractions 1, are

successively discharged first on to a dead plate 23 and then upon a straight-run forwardly extending and upwardly inclined carry-over conveyer 24 to a second dead-plate 24 and then delivered to the intake conveyer 25 of a so-called secondary wrapping machine D Meanwhile the other loaf fractions f are successively shifted axially away from the fractions j and delivered by the conveyer 23 upon the laterally extending intake conveyer 26 of a so-called primary wrapping machine B, by which such fractions f are successively separately wrapped and then delivered by a forwardly extending discharge conveyer 21 upon a second laterally extending conveyer 28 and by the latter conveyed successively to and upon a dead plate 28 and then upon the conveyer 25 and into re-co-axial alignment with the separate, and as yet unwrapped, fraction The successive pairs of so re-aligned or end-toend disposed fractions, each pair now comprising an unwrapped fraction f and a wrapped fraction I, are now by the conveyer 25 fed into the wrapping machine D and by such machine wrapped as a single full length loaf. From the machine D the successive packages, each now including an outer wrap enclosing one unwrapped loaf fraction f and one wrapped loaf fraction f, are, in turn, conveyed for removal by a conveyer 28 upon a discharge table, or the like, 28 as shown.

Figure 7 illustrates a space economizing and compact method practicing machine arrangement, which includes a slicing machine A having a rearwardly extending feed conveyer 29, slicing means 30, and a rearwardly extending transfer conveyer 3|. Operatively mounted at the discharge end of the transfer conveyer 3i, is an elevating mechanism 32 comprising a. pair of spaced pulleys 33, 34, reeved about which is an endless conveyer belt 35 provided with a series of swingable plates 36 each having an inwardly projecting foot 31 for engagement during upward loaf-elevating movement of the belt; 35 with a guide track 38. Operatively mounted in juxtaposition to the upper limit of travel of the elevating plates 36, is a reciprocatory push or pull off arm 39 actuable in timed relation with the elevating mechanism 32, all as best seen in Figure '7.

Also Operatively mounted adjacent the upper limit of travel of the elevating conveyer 35 and longitudinally extending forwardly over the slicing machine A is a straight-line conveyer 40 for successively delivering the sliced bread loaves or loaf fractions, as the case may be, into the intake conveyer 4| of a wrapping machine 13 for delivery, in turn, by a conveyer 4| on to a discharge plate 4|" for removal.

In Figures 8 and 9, A is a loaf-slicing machine having an intake conveyer .42, slic ng means 43, and a rearwardly extending fractionating trans fer conveyer 44 adapted for simultaneously shifting the loaf fractions in co-axial pair alignment along separate paths, as at p, 9', Figure 8. The loaf fractions p moving along one of the paths, will directly discharge onto a longitudinally rearwardly extending intake conveyer 45 of a socalled primary wrapping machine 13 while the loaf fractions p moving along the other path will be shifted onto a laterally extending auxiliary transfer conveyer 45 for discharge by mechanical means 45' onto ,the intake conveyer 41 of another so-called primary wrapping machine 3, the conveyer 41, as best seen in Figure 8, longitudinally extending rearwardly in spaced parallel relation to the conveyer 45 of the machine 3*. The wrapping machine 13 has a forwardly extending discharge conveyer 48 for delivering the wrapped loaf fractions p to one side of the intake conveyer 49 of a so-called secondary wrapping machine D while the other primary wrapping machine B has a similar forwardly extending discharge conveyer 50 for delivering the wrapped loaf fractions p to a laterally extending auxiliary discharge conveyer 5|, by which latter the loaf fractions 12 are shifted to and upon the dead plate 5| and then to the other side of the intake conveyer 49 into respective co-axial full loaf-forming alignment with the loaf fractions p which have been delivered upon the intake conveyer 49 by the other discharge conveyer 45, each pair of wrapped fractions 1), D, being again by the machine D wrapped endwise together in single loaf relation and delivered by a conveyer 5| upon a discharge plate 5|" for removal.

In the multiple composite loaf package machine arrangement shown in Figures 10, 11, 12, A is a loaf slicing machine which includes a feed conveyer 52, slicing mechanism 53, and a fractionating rearwardly extending transfer conveyer 54. Disposed horizontally over the conveyer 54 and extending transversely across the discharge side of the slicing mechanism 53, is a delivery plate 55 having a rearwardly projecting tongue or hold-back portion 56 extending longitudinally outwardly over the transfer conveyer 54 and having a transverse dimension substantially the same as half the length of the delivery plate 55 so as to extend substantially from the mid point to one side margin thereof, all as best seen in Figure 10. Operatively mounted on the framework of the slicing mechanism 53, is an outwardly projecting lug 53' for swingably supporting a conventional hold-down plate It, also as best seen in Figure 10.

The transfer conveyer 54 is further provided with a pair of side guides 51 each having an inwardly extending obliqueportion 58. Also supported over the transverse conveyer 54 intermediate the side guides 51, is a center guide having a rearwardly extending free-swinging switch guide 59, the transfer conveyer 54 being also provided with a plurality of conventional chaindriven flight bars 50, all as best seen in Figure 10 and for purposes presently fully appearing.

Operatively mounted at the discharge end of the transfer conveyer 54, is the conventional nism C, a dead plate 68, and an intake conveyer 54 operatively associated with a secondary wrapping machineD preferably constructed and Operatively associated'in a manner more fully disclosed and described in the co-pending application of Walter A. 'I'hum for patent for 'Article handling machinery, Serial No. 257,836,

filed February 23, 1939.

If, for example, it should be desired to prepare a composite package containing a half fraction of whole wheat bread and a half fraction of white bread, a plurality of full unsliced white loaves X may be placed upon the slicing machine feed conveyer 52 in alternate sequence with full unsliced whole wheat loaves Y. The loaves X, Y, are successively fed through the slicing mechanism 53 and issue upon the deliver plate 55 and each leaf divided into component fractions 3:, :c', and y, 11', respectively.

' As will be seen by reference to Figures 10 and 11,

the one fraction 2: of the first white loaf X will move directly down upon the transfer conveyer 54 in front of an oncoming flight rod 50. This fraction :c is manually removed, so that the first loaf fraction to be deposited upon the transfer conveyer 54 will be the succeeding whole wheat free-- tion 11; Meanwhile the white fraction .12 will have moved forwardly over the tongue or holdback plate 55 and will be deposited in front of the next succeeding flight rod 50.

Following the deposition of the fraction 2:, a subsequent white fraction :2: and thereafter a subsequent whole wheat fraction 11' will be successively deposited for the ultimate formation of a second composite loaf.

As will also be seen in Figure 10, this operates .so as to feed the white loaf fractions 1:, .r', into the pockets of the intake conveyer 6| in heel to heel relationship. Similarly the whole wheat loaf fractions 11, y, are also fed to the intake conveyer in "heel to heel relationship. Thus, in every instance, the two loaf fractions which follow each other consecutively with their respective or open soft ends in adjacent proximity will always be a pair consisting of one white fraction :1:

and one whole wheat fraction 11' or converselyone white fraction 0: and one whole wheat fraction y. The fractions :0, x, y, y, are separately wrapped in the primary wrapping machine 13 and are fed by the delivery mechanism 52, to the switching mechanism C by which latter the loaf fractions are deposited upon first one side and then the other side of the dead plate 53, each loaf fraction being, in turn, pushed from the dead plate 63 to the intake conveyer 54 of the secondary wrapping machine D by an oncoming loaf fraction. The switching mechanism C is so timed with relation to the movement of the intake conveyer 54, so that a loaf fraction :0 and a loaf fraction y or a loaf fraction :2 or a loaf fraction 1!, as the case may be, are deposited in axially aligned or end-to-end loaf-forming relationship upon the intake conveyer .54 for ultimate disposition by the machine D within an outer wrapping in the formation of an outer wrapped and packaged composite loaf comprising a pair of also separately wrapped different loaf fractions.

If it is desired to omit the elongated tongue on one side of the dead plate 63 and then a whole 1 wheat fraction 1/ will be deposited on the other side of the dead plate 63, forming a composite loaf. The two fractions 3:, 1 will be successively pushed off the dead plate 63 into the delayed intake conveyer 64 for disposition in an outer wrapper, as above described.

Thus I am enabled to most economically, conveniently, and speedily wrap and double wrap loaf fractions for commercial delivery by the baker to consumers in a manner conserving the freshness and tastiness of the loaf, and it should be understood that changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the method practicing machine arrangements may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. That method of packaging'a baked bread loaf which comprises slicing the bread loaf, subdividing the sliced loaf into fractions, shifting the fractions into consecutive alignment, separately wrapping the consecutive fractions, shifting the wrapped fractions into end-to-end realignment in loaf formation, and subsequently wrapping the re-aligned fractions as a single unitary package.

2.'That method of packaging a baked bread loaf which comprises slicing the bread loaf, subdividing the sliced loaf into a plurality of fractions, shifting the fractions into consecutive alignment and progressing the same along a selected plane, individually wrapping the fractions, progressing the wrapped fractions reversely in a plane spaced from the first plane, shifting the fractions into end-to-end loaf formation, and wrapping the re-aligned fractions in an outer wrapping in the formation of a unitary package.

3. That method of packaging a baked bread loaf which comprises slicing the bread loaf, subdividing the sliced loaf into a plurality of fractions, shifting the fractions into consecutive alignment and progressing the same along a selected plane, individually wrapping the fractions,

progressing the wrapped fractions reversely in a plane spaced from the first plane re-aligning the fractions into end-to-end loaf formation, wrapping the re-aligned fractions in an outer wrapping in the formation of a unitary package, and progressing the wrapped loaf package for delivery along a third selected plane spaced from the second plane.

4. That method of packaging a baked bread loaf which comprises slicing the bread loaf, subdividing the sliced loaf into separate fractions, shifting the separate fractions into consecutive alignment, separately wrapping the consecutively aligned fractions, shifting the wrapped fractions for re-alignment in loaf formation, and subsequently wrapping the re-aligned fractions as a single unitary package.

5. The method of packaging bread loaves which comprises slicing the bread loaves, subdividing the sliced loaves into a plurality of fractions, shifting the fractions into consecutive alignment and progressing them along a selected horizontal plane, individually wrapping the fractions, progressing the wrapped fractions reversely in a plane spaced upwardly from the first selected plane, shifting the fractions for re-alignment into full loaf formation, wrapping the re-aligned fractions in an outer wrapping in the formation of a unitary full loaf-sized package, and progressing the unitarily wrapped loaf packages for delivery along a third plane spaced upwardly from the second plane.

6. The method of packaging bread loaves which comprises slicing the bread loaves, subdividing the sliced loaves into separate fractions, shifting the separate fractions into consecutive alignment, separately wrapping the consecutively aligned fractions, progressing the wrapped fractions in consecutive alignment along a predetermined path, shifting the wrapped fractions alternately on opposite sides of said predetermined path into end-to-end relationship for re-alignment in loaf formation, and subsequently wrapping the re-aligned fractions as a single unitary full loaf-sized package.

7. That method of packaging a baked bread loaf which comprises slicing the bread loaf, progressing the bread loaf along a substantially horizontal plane, subdividing the sliced loaf into fractions and shifting the fractions into consecutive alignment during progression along said plane, separately wrapping the consecutive fractions, shifting the wrapped fractions into end-toend re-alignment in loaf formation, and subsequently wrapping the re-aligned fractions as a single unitary package.

GUSTAV C. PAPENDICK. 

